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Phillies add fifth outfielder

Rule 5 pick Ender Inciarate was designated for assignment to make room for fellow Venezuelan outfielder Ezequiel Carrera.

Ender Inciarte said it was "like a dream come true" to make it to the big leagues on Opening Day.

Less than 24 hours, his dream came to an end, at least in Philadelphia.

The Phils claimed fellow Venezuelan outfielder Ezequiel Carrera off waivers from the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday afternoon. To make room for Carrera on the roster, Inciarte was designated for assignment.

Why Carrera over Inciarte?

The 22-year-old Inciarate has never played in a game above the Class-A level. And as a Rule 5 pick, he would have had to stay on the big league roster all season.

The only way the Phils could have kept him in the system is if they offered him back to his original team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and they declined to take him back. They could have also worked out a trade, which they reportedly tried according to CSNPhilly.com.

But they were unsuccessful and have moved on with Carrera.

Carrera, at 25-years-old, is three years older than Inciarte and he has big league experience, too. The left-handed hitting Carrera has played in 116 major league games in the last two seasons in Cleveland.

Carrera hit .272 with a .312 OBP in 48 games with the Indians last season. He stole eight bases in nine attempts.

Carrera has also played 85 games in center field in the last two seasons, which is important since the only player the Phils currently have as a backup centerfielder is John Mayberry Jr.

Carrera, originally signed by the New York Mets in 2005, stole 11 bases in 13 attempts in 20 games with the Indians this spring. After the Indians signed free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn this winter, there were fewer outfield jobs to be had this spring.

Carrera will be in uniform for the Phillies game Wednesday night against the Braves at Turner Field.